It’s an annual event in Chattooga County that teaches elementary school-age children about an important cash crop in Georgia – the 2021 “Cotton Day” was held last week at the Hurley Farm in Chattooga County.

Fourth and fifth-grade elementary students from the Chattooga County School System came to the farm to see how cotton is grown and harvested, and local cotton producer Garret Hurley says it is an important tradition that needs to continue.

Hurley said, “Education and Promotion is key for the life of Agriculture. If we don’t Educate and Promote now we won’t be farming in years to come. It is a huge effort to make this day happen between schedules and weather (especially weather this year). It is awesome to watch the kids learn out on the farm.”

Cotton plays an important part in Chattooga County’s agricultural profile – and history.  The first cotton mill in Northwest Georgia opened in 1845 in what is now known as Trion, and continues in operation today.  Chattooga County ranks 81 out of 159 counties in Georgia in cotton production.

The students learned all about growing and picking cotton as well as the history and products from cotton during the tour on Friday.